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INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS IN THE BARNOSKY LAB
When to Apply:
During 2007-2008 I will be accepting applications from students who would be interested in working directly on projects that I have ongoing, or on closely related projects of their own design. You should e-mail me directly about your interests and qualifications as I am on sabbatical and not on campus during Fall 2007 and Spring 2008. Applications are due at Berkeley in early December; the current deadline and other pertinent information is available from the Department of Integrative Biology.
Required Background:
Basically, a firm grounding in both biology or geology, as well as computer literacy, is required for applicants. I accept students that have majored in either geology or biology as undergraduates, and I view it as my responsibility to direct the student to the appropriate courses to gain the requisite background in the other field.
Philosophy and Expectations:
Students working with me need to become well-trained in evolutionary concepts, from the molecular to macroevolutionary aspects, in phylogenetic analysis, and in interpetation of sedimentary environments and geological features. When necessary I provide the training through graduate seminar courses and/or hands-on education.
Students are expected to complete a Ph.D. within five years. I view my role as a major advisor as fourfold:
1. to provide the intellectual and physical setting conducive to fostering learning; 2. to provide the logistical, administrative and when appropriate financial support needed; 3. to teach the student the current techniques and alert them to the hot topics in their field; and 4. to open the doors for them professionally by providing the right contacts.
I generally am more interested in training people who have defined their career goals and are obtaining a graduate degree as a necessary step in obtaining their goal, rather than students who are simply exploring a career opportunity. I expect creativity in thinking, and the desire in the student to become more than just a technician -- that is, a bona fide researcher and/or educator who will go on to make original contributions in their specialty. In addition to normal departmental degree requirements, I also urge my graduate students to obtain their own grant support, publish papers, and present papers at professional meetings. All of these I view as skills necessary to both obtaining and succeeding in any job that requires a graduate degree. My role in this is helping students through the logistical and psychological hurdles that often accompany these activities, which involves pointing them in directions I feel will result in success, providing detailed reviews of first drafts, and basically teaching them the tricks of the trade in terms of how to put together good proposals, papers, and presentations. Depending on how much time I spend on this relative to the student, I may or may not expect to be a co-author on publications and talks.
Student Selection Criteria:
Besides a match between students and advisors in interest, selection criteria include undergraduate G.P.A., GRE Scores (both general and subject), letters of recommendation, and evaluation of the student's statement of purpose.
Financial Support:
Generally the Department of Integrative Biology provides some sort financial support for graduate students within normative time. This support usually requires working as a Graduate Student Instructor, Graduate Student Research Assistant, or Graduate Student Curatorial Assistant. Prospective students are encouraged to submit a proposal to relevant agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, for funding at the same time they apply for graduate study. (See the NSF web page for information about predoctoral awards). Various university fellowships are available; students are evaluated and nominated for these based on their applications to the Integrative Biology program.